Chapter 41

So much for the disguise.

Gaiten raises his hand to his temple, holding the mask into place. “Take the purse,” he says, his voice gruff. “Take it and leave me. Tell no one.”

But tender fingers caress Gaiten’s cheek, tracing the curve of bone beneath the flushed skin. That touch, once so familiar…Gaiten tries to pull away. He doesn’t need this, not here, not now, not like this—but the fingers catch his chin and turn his face into the scant moonlight. “It isyou.”

“You know me not.” Gaiten tries to twist from the tight grip and cannot. “Just take my purse and leave me. Please.”

Leaning closer, the stranger brushes a tentative finger across Gaiten’s lips. “I know you.”